Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) is back out on the campaign trail, where he always seems to be, hustling for votes in Tuesday’s crucial Democratic primary.

But he is no longer running for president or supporting one of the remaining contenders. For the first time since he was elected to Congress in 1996, Kucinich is battling to keep his seat.

The iconic antiwar liberal, whose legislative efforts include proposing a Department of Peace and introducing articles of impeachment against Vice President Cheney, is facing his first serious challenge from fellow Democrats in his Cleveland-based district.

His quadrennial long-shot bids for the White House have shaped a quirky but largely beloved image for the diminutive Kucinich at home and on Capitol Hill. But those very attributes have been turned against the six-term congressman.

“He doesn’t want to be our congressman anymore. It’s clear he’s left the building. The guy’s got Hollywood fever, and that would be fine if he was using his national stature to actually get things done,” City Councilman Joe Cimperman, Kucinich’s main opponent, said in a telephone interview.

Cimperman appears to have a chance, but there are three other Democrats in the race as well meaning that the anti-Kucinich vote could be split and the Democrat from Alpha Centauri could slip through.